Articles of Clothing

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing, or a part thereof or an accessory therefor, comprises a fabric formed at least partly from fibres having a diameter of up to 1 μm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to articles of clothing, or parts thereof. The invention is concerned with articles of clothing which require a gripping functionality. This functionality may be exercised against the skin of the wearer, for instance, in connection with intimate apparel, socks and hosiery and sports inner and outerwear. Alternatively, the gripping functionality may be exercised against a surface external to the wearer, for instance, the inside of a shoe, in the case of a sock, or a vehicle steering wheel in the case of a glove.

The present invention has use in, for example, knitted or woven narrow elastic bands, knitted or woven strip cut broad fabric bands and knitted or woven strategically placed structure zones within fabric constructions.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Currently, a gripping function is provided in the intimate apparel sector by the localised application of a bead of silicon to effect the required increase in friction.

This technique is not satisfactory for the following reasons:

-   1. discomfort is caused to the wearer; the material is not able to     breathe and therefore causes sweating and irritation in wearers if     worn for any length of time; -   2. the use of rounded beads of silicon material can lead to     localised pressure marks on the skin, since the silicon itself adds     modulus to the gripper band; -   3. the silicon beads can also cause skin sensitisation in     susceptible individuals.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an article of clothing, or part thereof, or an accessory therefor, comprising a fabric formed at least partly from fibres having a diameter of up to 1 μm.

Reference will be made hereinbelow to nanofibres but it should be understood that, as used herein, this term covers any fibre having a diameter of up to 1 μm.

The use of materials incorporating nanofibres to provide the required grip confers the following advantages over existing silicon applications:

-   1. the fibres present a flat friction surface to the wearer,     eliminating or minimising pressure marks. Modulus is not     significantly increased when gripping fibres are used. Hence the     elastomeric pressure is independent of nanofibre coverage and     density; -   2. the fibres transport moisture away from the skin so that the     nanofibre material is breathable and quick drying, thereby     eliminating sweating and enhancing the comfort of the wearer. -   3. the fibres are hypoallergenic, heavy metal free and antistatic.

The nanofibres used in the present invention may be made from any suitable material. One possible material which can be used is a polyester. The polyester may be a chemically recycled polyester.

A particular application of the present invention is in connection with nanofibre gripper bands which may be applied by, for instance, the following means:

-   1. narrow knitted or woven elastic or non-elastic bands with     functional nanofibres orientated in such a way as to bear against     the skin of the wearer due to the appropriate positioning of the     bands onto strategic locations on the garment. They may be applied     to the garment by, for instance, stitching or bonding; -   2. strip cut broad fabrics containing nanofibres in whole or part     and of knitted or woven construction. Such fabrics may be applied     either by stitching or bonding the bands into strategic locations on     a garment; -   3. nanofibre yarns knitted or woven as an integral part of a fabric     construction so as to present a localised “zone” of functional     gripping nanofibres against the skin. Such fabric constructions may     be, for instance, stitched, bonded or otherwise formed into the     garment.

For example, the nanofibres may be present as a plush back finding elastic providing a loopy surface face similar to that of a towel.

The present invention is applicable to clothing for both men and women and to both inner and outerwear, including sports clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are as follows:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show knickers of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a bra of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows hosiery of the present invention;

FIG. 5 comprises three views of a bodyshaper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a soft top sock of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a further embodiment of a sock in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a glove of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9 to 22 show sportswear applications of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a pair of knickers 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in front view and in FIG. 2 showing the inside surface not visible in FIG. 1. A waistband 3 extends around the entire internal edge of the knickers from position A to position B. Similarly, leg bands 5 and 7 extend around the inner edge of each of the legs of the garment from position C to position D.

Each of the bands 3, 5, 7 comprises nanofibres which present their nanofibre surface to the skin of the wearer. In this way they unobtrusively grip the body and hold the garment in place without causing sweating or discomfort.

Referring to now to FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, a Multi-way underwired bra 9 includes various nanofibre bands. Band 11 in the underarm extends from position A to position B. Band 13 in the underband extends from position C to position D. Band 15 in the wirecasing extends from position E to position F. Band 17 in the underside of the detachable strap extends from position G to position H.

The garment shown in FIG. 3 may be used either with or without the strap. When used as a strapless option, the nanofibre bands 11, 13 and 15 grip the body to hold the garment in place. When using the straps the band 17 stops the straps from slipping off when they are in place, thereby enhancing both functionality and comfort.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated hosiery of the present invention. The nanofibres may be used in elastic narrow bands, strip cut broad fabric or knitted into the back of narrow elastic stretch lace bands to provide a stocking top hold-up gripper for the hosiery. As illustrated, the upper drawing shows an elastic or narrow fabric band with a nano back (item 19). The lower drawing shows the use of a lace top band with nano back (item 21).

In a similar way, the present invention could be applied to shorter knee-high type hosiery.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the present invention, there is illustrated three views of a Multi-way Bodyshaper. The upper drawing is a view on the back of the garment showing the internal features of the bra. The lower left--hand drawing is a front view and the lower right-hand drawing is a back view showing the bra closed. Nanofibre bands are provided around the leg edge 23 from position A to position B, the underarm 25 from position C to position D, the lower wing and across the back 27 from position E to position F, around the wirecasing 29 from position G to position H and on the underside of the detachable strap 31 from position Ito position J.

The provision of nanofibre bands in these various positions will enable the garment to stay in place when the detachable straps are removed. When the straps are in use, they will not slip off the shoulder. Similarly the bands of the legs will prevent the garment from riding up with the pull of the Bodyshaper.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, a sock 33 has nanofibres knitted into the back of the soft top of the sock, where the ribbed structure is engineered to be relatively loose to alleviate uncomfortable constriction. However, this more open structure does result in the sock not anchoring so well. The addition of nanofibre at region 35, extending circumferentially from A to B and longitudinally from C to D enables the soft top to hold to the skin.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, a further sock 37 in accordance with the present invention has nanofibres knitted into the face side of the sock sole 39 in an area extending from A to B. This application can apply to both fine hosiery or to heavy gauge hosiery. The nanofibres provide a non-slip region which helps avoid the loss of footwear or helps prevent a fall.

Referring to FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawing, a glove 41 of the present invention is provided with nanofibres knitted into the face side in the finger areas 43 and the palm area 45. Nanofibres can be knitted into heavy or lighter gauge products for application in leisure or sports uses requiring anti-slip functionality.

FIGS. 9 to 22 illustrate various sportswear applications of the invention. In each case one or more shaded areas are shown and these are the areas where nanofibres are present.

FIG. 9 shows a ladies or men's pair of jodhpurs. FIG. 10 shows a ladies or men's pair of running trousers. Such a garment could also be of knee or thigh length.

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate legwear items, suitable for men or ladies, which are applicable for various end uses such as gymwork, running, cycling, football, rugby and cricket.

Triathlon suits are illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 shows a thigh length suit and FIG. 15 shows a longleg triathlon suit.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show sports tops or jackets. These are suitable for men or women. Illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 are innerwear top-short and long sleeved items. These are suitable for many uses such as gymwork, running, cycling, rugby, football, cricket and weights. FIG. 18 shows a fitted cycle top or jacket.

FIG. 19 shows a jock strap and FIG. 20 shows a ladies sports crop top which may be either inner or outerwear.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show cycling accessories for men or women. FIG. 21 is a fitted arm warmer and FIG. 22 is a fitted leg warmer.

In a trial wearer process, nanofibres in the range 600-800 nm, typically 700 nm, were found to be effective in generating a functional friction surface effect equivalent to a conventional silicone beaded product when the fibres were incorporated in the plush back of woven narrow binding and strap elastic constructions. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An article of clothing or a part thereof or an accessory therefor, comprising a fabric formed at least partly from fibres having a diameter of up to 1 μm, wherein said fibres are positioned so that they will, in use, make contact with the skin of the wearer.
 13. An article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein said fibre diameter is from 500 to 1000 nm.
 14. An article of clothing according to claim 13, wherein said fibre diameter is from 600-800 nm.
 15. An article of clothing according to claim 14, wherein said fibre diameter is about 700 nm.
 16. An article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein said fibres are located in a band attached to the main body of the clothing by stitching or bonding.
 17. An article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein said fibres are incorporated in the body or main part of the body of the article.
 18. An article of clothing according to claim 12 in the form of a pair of knickers, a bra, hosiery, a bodyshaper, a sock or a glove.
 19. An article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein said fibres are on the outside of the article of clothing and provide a non-slip surface.
 20. An article according to claim 12, wherein said fibres are polyester fibres. 